Saturday, June 05, 2010

On Wednesday, the PS22 Chorus got the "sweetest" surprise ever -- a visit and a cake from Duff and the gang from Charm City Cakes, as featured on the FOOD Network show ACE OF CAKES! The episode with the chorus will be airing within the next few months. The kids put together a few Mr. B originals (to avoid licensing issues for the broadcast) for the festivities, and this song is "African Lion." After the song, check out some highlights of the visit, and be prepared to see the coolest, most magnificent cake ever!!

It was so wonderful and genuinely flattering to see how the entire Charm City crew was just as happy to see the kids as they were to see them! They were completely cool and down to earth! At one point, Duff was even sitting on the floor with the kids showing them pictures of some of his cakes! And the kids were duly blown away by his handiwork!

All of our thanks to everyone at Charm City, particularly Duff, Ben, and Anna for designing this work of art! Big thanks also go to Victor Breinberg, Ms. Lisa and Mrs. Johnson for the great pics and video on this post! More pics below!

I;d like to suggest another name for what you called a "photogenic autograph." Photogentic applies to someone looks great in photographs, and since you are sniffing, we're talking about the sense of small. Olfactory is the word for smelling.

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

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IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol